Mets' Mejia Permanently Banned After 3rd Failed Drug Test
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia has become the first player to receive a lifetime ban under baseball's drug agreement after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance for the third time.
The commissioner's office said Friday that Mejia tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid.
"We were deeply disappointed to hear that Jenrry has again violated Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," the Mets said in a statement. "We fully support MLB's policy toward eliminating performance enhancing substances from the sport. As per the Joint Drug Program, we will have no further comment on this suspension."
The 26-year-old was the Mets' closer before he was suspended for 80 games last April 11 following a positive test for Stanozolol. He returned July 12, appeared in seven games for New York, then was banned for 162 games on July 28 after a positive test for Stanozolol and Boldenone.
Major league players and teams agreed in November 2005 that a third positive test for PEDs would result in a lifetime ban.
No players have been banned for life under the minor league drug program.
Mejia, 26, has spent parts of five seasons with the Mets. His breakout campaign came in 2014, when he appeared in 63 games and posted a 3.65 ERA and 28 saves. The Dominican right-hander signed with the organization in 2007.
The Mets and Mejia had just agreed last month to a one-year, $2.47 million contract.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
